Nan Parson Rossiter

The Short of It:

Nantucket is such an idyllic, beautiful locale but even though it’s always been home for Liam Tate it’s also a reminder of what was.

The Rest of It:

After losing his parents in a car accident, Liam Tate moves into his Uncle’s house on Nantucket. Together, they while away the years working on boats or fixing up the house. For Liam, it’s a happy time and he loves living on the island and can’t imagine calling any other place home.

One summer, Cadie and her family show more vacation on the island. After meeting Liam, it’s pretty much love at first sight but Cadie’s from a well-to-do family and Liam is just a hardworking kid working in the boatyard. Clearly, the two have little in common but their immediate attraction to one another is something Cadie’s father will not tolerate so he whisks her back to New York, far away from Liam Tate.

Liam waits for a letter or phone call but he receives nothing from Cadie. He just assumes that she’s gone off to college to live the life she was meant to live. Several years later, the two are reunited and even though many years have passed, Liam can’t help but feel something for the woman who stole his heart so long ago.

I’ve read all of Nan Rossiter’s books so I was pretty excited to get my hands on this new one. One thing you can always count on is a fabulous setting and this novel is no exception. The other thing you can count on, four-legged characters you can’t ignore. In this case, Tuck, a lovable retriever and his feline buddy, affectionately called, Mobe.

In this novel, Rossiter’s focus is Liam and Cadie’s relationship and the role of second chances. Is it possible to love again after so many years? There is a slightly weightier edge to this story than the ones I’ve read before. Liam is forced to make some very difficult decisions and you all know how much I love it when characters are pushed outside of their comfort zones.

Speaking of characters, I adored Liam. I adored his dog, Tuck. I did not adore Cadie. Gasp! Cadie was just a young girl when this all went down but I was so angry at her for not contacting Liam after she left the island. Sure, she was young but what young person listens to their parents anyway?

That said, this story is a reminder at just how quickly your life can change and how having a little bit of faith can lead you in the right direction. It’s got a fabulous setting, a little bit of romance and some soul-searching, weightier issues to consider. There’s something for everyone.

For more reviews, visit my blog: Book Chatter. show less

Favorite parts of WORDS are the successful Autism strategies, building a Stone Wall,
Dr. Franklin's kindness, and all the animals - notably Springer and Kat - as well as Linden's
ongoing devotion.

Callie's continuing refusal to seek alternatives to the way she dealt with her son slowed the plot for too long, while Henry's dramatic recovery - enough to get him into a school without the earphones - felt unrealistic. Great that things worked out for Love and romance!

((For future editions, please show more eliminate the constant traveling advertisements:
Gatorade, Cut-rite Wax Paper, John Deere, LL Bean, J. Crew, Oreos, Dunkin Donuts, Eggo,
Subaro and the white old Wonder Bread that could make ANY kid sicker.)) show less

The Short of It:

A heartfelt story about a family’s loss, their eagerness for happiness, and how their love for one another hold each other up.

The Rest of It:

I have reviewed many of Nan’s books. So many of them hold a special place in my heart. A Good Measure is book #3 in the Savannah Skies series and yet I don’t think you need to read the first two to really enjoy this one. But, you will still want to read them just to spend more time with this family.

Libby Tennyson’s husband Jack show more passed away less than a year ago and although her life has always been full, raising six sons into grown adults, her time alone in the farmhouse leaves her a little sad, and worried about what the future holds. Her son Chase has found the love of his life, but his relationship with Liam presents some challenges when Liam’s folks fail to show support for what they consider to be a non-traditional relationship.

Libby is surrounded by ladies her own age, ones who try repeatedly to get her to come out of her shell and join them for drinks and fellowship but Libby is reluctant. Her young grand-daughter, a vision of vitality and yes, energy, bridges the loneliness gap by providing much needed company and silliness. But can there really be more for Libby out there? At this age? Yes!

Pick up any Rossiter book and you will be regaled with food talk, a love for all animals, especially Labs and Goldens, and honestly just the love and friendship that result in close relationships. Reading her stories just FEEL good. Like a hug. These are the types of reads that you cozy up with and who doesn’t need that right now? I highly recommend her books. All of them.

For more reviews, visit my blog: Book Chatter. show less

The Short of It:

Words Get In the Way is a heartwarming tale of redemption and hope.

The Rest of It:

When Callie Wyeth’s father suffers a stroke, she finds herself in a difficult position. Wanting desperately to help, she knows she must return to her childhood home, but the memories of her life three years before rush back to her. Particularly, Linden…the man she left behind. The man whose heart she was forced to break, in order to keep him from the painful truth. A truth which she hasn’t show more fully come to terms with herself, even though the evidence of that slip of judgement stares up at her each, and every day.

Last June, I reviewed another book by Nan Rossiter, The Gin and Chowder Club, and at the time, I was surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. It surprised me because it wasn’t a book I would have picked up on my own, and I assumed it would be a lighter read. That was not the case and after enjoying it so much, I jumped at the chance to review her next book.

As with her previous book, this one has likable, well-developed characters but this one adds a weightier element. When Callie returns home, she returns with her young son, Henry. Henry has just been diagnosed with autism. This provides an additional layer of complexity to the story since Callie is still learning about triggers and cues. Her frustration over her son’s condition, is what made her more genuine to me as a reader and Henry’s interactions with Linden is what gives her hope.

The connection between these characters and the simple story line is what made this book very appealing to me. I will say, there is more of a spiritual element to this novel than the first book I read. I do not practice religion, but do believe in a higher power so these brief moments of prayer or mentions of God did not take anything away from the reading. Personally, I found these passages to be rather comforting. As a mother, I can certainly see why Callie would pray for her child as well as the health of her father. I think it’s important to note that I never felt as if Rossiter was pushing religion for religion’s sake. Callie is not perfect and remorseful for the mistakes she’s made. It seemed appropriate that Callie would find comfort in religion.

That said, I wanted to spend more time with these characters. The novel spans a very brief moment in time and I would have liked it more (call me selfish) if I had gotten to see them a little further along in their development. I wanted to see where they’d end up. There is a glimpse of that since the story opens with Callie in the present day, reflecting back on her past, but I wanted more of the stuff in between. Mainly because I enjoyed the characters so much.

If you enjoy honest, simple stories then give Rossiter a try.

For more reviews, visit my blog: Book Chatter. show less